Communication via serializer / deserializer

Abstract

The invention relates to communication via a serializer / deserializer. An electronic device is provided that is adapted to enable communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. An example electronic device includes a first memory adapted to store first software adapted to initialize a communication, the first software being different from second software adapted to implement the communication.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to French patent application No. FR2314545, filed on December 20, 2023, entitled “Communication par sérialiseur / désérialiseur”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the maximum extent permitted by law. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic circuits and devices, and communication between multiple electronic circuits or devices. The present specification more particularly relates to communication using a serializer / deserializer module. Background Art

[0004] A serializer / deserializer (SerDes) component or a serializer / deserializer module is a component that enables electronic devices to communicate at high data rates. These serializer / deserializer components are usually integrated into electronic devices that implement communications.

[0005] It would be desirable to be able to at least partially improve certain aspects of communications using serializer / deserializer components. Summary of the invention

[0006] There is a need for more efficient communications via serializers / deserializers.

[0007] A need exists for electronic devices to use more efficient serializer / deserializer components to enable communications.

[0008] There is a need for electronic devices to achieve communications using more compact components.

[0009] Embodiments overcome all or part of the disadvantages of electronic devices that use serializer / deserializer components to implement communications.

[0010] Embodiments overcome all or part of the disadvantages of known methods of initiating communications via a serializer / deserializer.

[0011] Embodiments overcome all or part of the disadvantages of known communication methods using serializer / deserializer.

[0012] An embodiment provides an electronic device storing only software suitable for initializing communication via a serializer / deserializer.

[0013] The embodiment provides a method for initializing communication via a serializer / deserializer implemented by the aforementioned device.

[0014] An embodiment provides an electronic device adapted to communicate by means of a serializer / deserializer. The electronic device includes a first memory adapted to store a first software adapted to initialize the communication, the first software being different from a second software adapted to implement the communication.

[0015] Another embodiment provides a method for initializing communication by means of a serializer / deserializer in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first memory adapted to store a first software adapted to initialize the communication, the first software being different from a second software adapted to implement the communication.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the first memory is a programmable read-only memory.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the first software is a reduced version of the second software.

[0018] According to an embodiment, once the first software has been used, the device is adapted to receive the second software.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the second software is sent by a first control circuit external to the device.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the second software is stored in a second memory of the device.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the second memory is a static random access memory of the serializer / deserializer module of the device.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the first software is adapted to initialize communication having a first data rate lower than a second data rate of the communication when the communication is implemented by the second software.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the first software is adapted to initialize communication having a first function different from a second function of the communication when the communication is implemented by the second software.

[0024] Another embodiment provides a method for communication by means of a serializer / deserializer, including the above method.

[0025] Another embodiment provides an electronic system including at least one of the above devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other features and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in the disclosure of specific embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 An electronic system in which communication by means of a serializer / deserializer is implemented according to an embodiment is shown; and

[0028] Figure 2 Shown inFigure 1 An embodiment of a method for initiating communication by means of a serializer / deserializer within a system. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0029] Similar features in the respective figures have been denoted by like reference numerals. In particular, structural and / or functional features common to the respective embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may have the same structure, dimensions, and material properties.

[0030] For the sake of clarity, only those steps and elements that contribute to an understanding of the described embodiments have been shown and described in detail.

[0031] Unless otherwise indicated, when referring to two elements connected together, this means a direct connection without any intermediate element other than a conductor, and when referring to two elements coupled together, this means that the two elements may be connected or they may be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0032] In the following description, when referring to absolute position qualifiers such as "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers such as "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", etc., or orientation qualifiers such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., unless otherwise specified, they all refer to the orientation of the drawings.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about", "approximately", "substantially", and "about" mean plus or minus 10%, preferably plus or minus 5%.

[0034] The embodiments described below relate to a device adapted to implement communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. Such communication is communication for transmitting data between electronic devices using a serializer / deserializer (SerDes) component integrated into the electronic devices. Such a component enables the transmission of data that is typically broadcast over multiple communication channels through a single communication channel. In other words, such a component enables the serialization of data received in parallel on multiple inputs. To implement such communication, an electronic device typically needs to be able to implement software associated with communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. This software is typically a very low-level program, also known as microcode or firmware.

[0035] The embodiments described below solve the problem of storing software associated with such communication by means of a serializer / deserializer in an electronic device implementing communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. In fact, such software is generally stored in a non-volatile memory external to the serializer / deserializer component of the device. Due to volume and financial cost reasons, some devices cannot include a non-volatile memory enabling software to be stored. To this end, the embodiments described below include a programmable read-only memory, i.e., a memory that can only be programmed once, suitable for storing a reduced version of the software that only enables the initialization of a limited communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. Once the communication has been initialized, the serializer / deserializer component of the device is suitable for receiving the complete software and storing it in one of its internal memories.

[0036] In addition, these embodiments can be applied to any electronic system using one or more serializer / deserializer components, such as for example a communication system (such as an antenna, for example an active antenna), a data storage system (such as a data center), etc. These embodiments are particularly suitable for an electronic system including a large number of electronic devices adapted to implement communication by means of a serializer / deserializer between each other.

[0037] Figure 1 An embodiment of an electronic system 100 according to an embodiment is schematically shown in the form of a block diagram.

[0038] System 100 includes a plurality of electronic devices adapted to implement communication by means of a serializer / deserializer, for example at least two electronic devices. In Figure 1 the example shown, system 100 includes five electronic devices, including a main (or commander) electronic device (101) and four remote slave (or responder) electronic devices (102) (Remote 1, Remote 2, Remote 3, Remote 4).

[0039] Each electronic device 101, 102 of system 100 includes at least one serializer / deserializer component 1011, 1021 or serializer / deserializer module respectively, enabling it to implement communication by means of a serializer / deserializer with another device of system 100. More particularly, each electronic device 101, 102 includes a serializer / deserializer module for each other electronic device with which the electronic device is adapted to communicate by means of a serializer / deserializer. In other words, if an electronic device is adapted to communicate with two other electronic devices, then it includes two serializer / deserializer modules. In Figure 1In the example shown, the electronic device 101 is adapted to implement communication with three devices 102 (Remote 1, Remote 2, Remote 3) via a serializer / deserializer, and the device 102 (Remote 4) is adapted to implement communication with only one of the other devices 102 (Remote 1). Thus, the device 101 includes three serializer / deserializer modules, and each device 102 includes one serializer / deserializer module, with the exception of one device 102 (Remote 1), which includes two serializer / deserializer modules.

[0040] More particularly, the device 101 includes:

[0041] - A serializer / deserializer module 1011 with the reference label "Serdes IP 1", which is adapted to communicate with the device 102 with the reference label "Remote 1";

[0042] - A serializer / deserializer module 1011 with the reference label "Serdes IP 2", which is adapted to communicate with the device 102 with the reference label "Remote 2"; and

[0043] - A serializer / deserializer module 1011 with the reference label "Serdes IP 3", which is adapted to communicate with the device 102 with the reference label "Remote 3".

[0044] According to an embodiment, each component 1011, 1021 includes a control circuit and is respectively attached with a memory 10111 (MCU + SRAM), 10211 (MCU + SRAM). According to an example, the control circuit is a processor, a microprocessor, a controller or a microcontroller. According to a preferred embodiment, the main control circuit 101 is a microcontroller. According to a preferred embodiment, the memory is a random access memory, such as, preferably, a static random access memory (SRAM).

[0045] According to an example, the electronic device is a complex electronic device, such as a processor or a microprocessor.

[0046] According to an embodiment, each device 102, in addition to its component 1021, further includes at least one small-capacity programmable read-only memory 1022 (OTP). According to an example, the capacity of the memory 1022 is several kilobytes, for example, less than 5k bytes. According to an embodiment, the programmable read-only memory 1022 is a one-time programmable (OTP) memory.

[0047] In addition, system 100 further includes at least one external non-volatile memory 103 (EXTNVM) located outside devices 101 and 102. According to an example, the non-volatile memory 103 can be accessed by device 101, but not by device 102. According to an example, the storage capacity of memory 103 is greater than the storage capacity of the programmable read-only memory 1022 of device 102.

[0048] To implement communication by means of a serializer / deserializer, each of devices 101, 102 must implement software suitable for implementing such communication. More particularly, each of control circuits 10111, 10211 must respectively implement software suitable for implementing such communication. For this purpose, such software must be stored respectively in the memories attached to each of control circuits 10111, 10211.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the software is microcode suitable for directly sending commands to one or more electronic circuits and components responsible for implementing communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. As described above, the software is generally a very low-level program, also known as microcode or firmware. A very low-level program is a computer program that enables direct control of hardware components without the need for other software intermediaries.

[0050] According to an embodiment, each device 102 is adapted to store in its memory 1022 software 10221 (FW_L) suitable for at least initializing limited communication by means of a serializer / deserializer, rather than software for implementing communication by means of a serializer / deserializer. The software 1031 (FW_F) enabling communication by means of a serializer / deserializer is stored in the external non-volatile memory 103 of system 100 to initialize limited serializer / deserializer communication, i.e., to trigger or activate the circuits responsible for implementing limited serializer / deserializer communication. According to an example, software 1031 is adapted to trigger or activate the circuits responsible for implementing serializer / deserializer communication. Software 1031 is supplied to device 102 only during initialization of communication. When software 1031 is supplied to device 102, it is stored in the memory associated with the control circuit 10211 of its module 1021.

[0051] According to an embodiment, software 10221 differs from software 1031 in that it contains fewer functions. According to an embodiment, software 10221 is a reduced or simplified version of software 1031. Therefore, the code of software 10221 is less than the code of software 1031. Therefore, the code of software 10221 can be stored in memory 10211, while the code of software 1031 is too large to be stored by this memory. Therefore, the advantage here is that it is possible to avoid installing an external non-volatile memory outside module 1021, thus making system 100 more compact.

[0052] According to an embodiment, software 10221 enables the initialization of communication by means of a serializer / deserializer at a data rate lower than the data rate of such communication implemented by software 1031. The initialization of such communication will be described in detail in conjunction with Figure 2 and will be described in detail.

[0053] According to an alternative embodiment, software 10221 enables the initialization of communication by means of a serializer / deserializer at the same data rate as the data rate of such communication implemented by software 1031, but with different functions. In particular, the communication initialized by software 10221 may have fewer functions than the communication initialized by software 1031. By way of example, software 10221 may not implement functions related to the environment in which system 100 is located (such as, for example, suitable ambient temperature).

[0054] According to yet another alternative embodiment, software 10221 can be used to initialize communication by means of a serializer / deserializer at a data rate lower than and with different functions from the communication implemented by software 1031.

[0055] The advantage of this embodiment is that by making software 10221 directly accessible to device 102, device 102 can initiate communication autonomously. In fact, it is possible to consider installing a dedicated communication channel for transmitting software 1031 to device 102, but this would increase the communication channels of the system, thereby increasing its volume and possibly also reducing its reliability.

[0056] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an implementation of a method 200 for the initialization of communication by means of a serializer / deserializer within the electronic system 100 described with respect to Figure 1 More specifically, the communication involved here is the communication between one of device 101 and device 102.

[0057] In an initial step 201 (FW_L->OTP), software 10221 is stored in the programmable read-only memory 1022 of device 102. By way of example, this step is performed after the manufacture of device 102, for example, during a test phase. The advantage of this step is that it enables the user of system 100 to store the version of software 10221 they desire in a simple manner, without having to require the manufacturer of system 100 to do so.

[0058] In step 202 (Remote FW_L->MCU), after step 201, device 102 desires to implement communication with device 101 by means of a serializer / deserializer. Software 10221 is downloaded from memory 1022 to module 1021 and then installed to initialize communication by means of a serializer / deserializer.

[0059] In another initial step 203 (FW_F -> NVM), the software 1031 is stored in the non-volatile memory 103 of the system 100. According to the example, this step can be performed at any step in the life cycle of the system 100, and more particularly, at any step in the life cycle of the non-volatile memory 103.

[0060] At step 204 (Remote FW_F -> MCU), after step 203, device 101 wants to implement communication with device 102 by means of a serializer / deserializer. The software 1031 is downloaded from the memory 103 to the module 1011 and then installed to initialize the communication by means of the serializer / deserializer.

[0061] At step 205 (Initialize Limited Serdes), after steps 202 and 204, the communication by means of the serializer / deserializer is initialized. For this purpose, device 101 uses the software 1031, which enables the implementation of a complete communication, for example, at a high data rate, and device 102 uses the software 10221, which enables the implementation of a limited communication, for example, at a low data rate and / or with fewer functions. Therefore, only a limited communication can be initialized between device 101 and device 102, and this communication is initialized.

[0062] In step 206 (Limited SerDes Establishment) after step 205, the limited communication by means of the serializer / deserializer has been initialized and is ready to operate. According to the example, the communication can transmit and receive data at a first data rate (for example, a low data rate). For example, this first data rate is approximately 3 Gbits / s.

[0063] At step 207 (DL FW_F) after step 206, device 102 is then adapted to receive the software 1031 to fully implement the communication by means of the serializer / deserializer. For this purpose, device 101 sends the software 1031 to device 102 via the initialized limited communication.

[0064] At step 208 (Remote Update FW) after step 207, device 102 receives the software 1031 and stores the software in the memory 10211 of its module 1021. According to the example, the software 1031 is used to update the software 10221, for example, without interrupting the communication.

[0065] At step 209 (Full SerDes Establishment) after step 208, device 102 thus uses the software 1031 to implement the full communication by means of the serializer / deserializer. According to the example, the communication can transmit and receive data at a second data rate (for example, a high data rate). According to the example, the second data rate is higher than the first data rate. According to the example, the second data rate is approximately 112 Gbits / s.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the initialization method 200 may be included in a communication method by means of a serializer / deserializer.

[0067] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations may be combined, and other variations will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0068] Finally, based on the functional indications given above, the actual implementation of the described embodiments and variations is within the capabilities of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An electronic device adapted to implement communication by means of a serializer / deserializer, the electronic device comprising a first memory adapted to store first software, the first software being adapted to initialize communication, the first software being different from second software adapted to implement communication.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first memory is a programmable read-only memory. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first software is a reduced version of the second software.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: Once the first software has been used, the electronic device is adapted to receive the second software.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second software is transmitted by a first control circuit external to the electronic device. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the second software is stored in a second memory of the electronic device. 7 . The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the second memory is a static random access memory of a serializer / deserializer module of the electronic device.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first software is adapted to initiate communications having a first data rate that is lower than a second data rate for communications when the communications are effectuated by the second software.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first software is adapted to initiate a communication having a first function that is different from a second function of the communication when the communication is implemented by the second software.

10. An electronic system comprising at least one electronic device as claimed in claim 1.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first software and the second software are microcodes adapted to send commands directly to one or more electronic circuits and components responsible for enabling communications through a serializer / deserializer.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the initialization of the communication corresponds to triggering of one or more electronic circuits and components responsible for enabling the communication through the serializer / deserializer.

13. A method of initializing communication by means of a serializer / deserializer by an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a first memory adapted to store first software, the first software adapted to initialize communication, the first software being different from second software adapted to enable communication. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first memory is a programmable read-only memory. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first software is a scaled-down version of the second software.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein: Once the first software has been used, the electronic device is adapted to receive the second software.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second software is transmitted by a first control circuit external to the electronic device. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second software is stored in a second memory of the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the first software and the second software are microcodes adapted to send commands directly to one or more electronic circuits and components responsible for enabling communications through a serializer / deserializer.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the initialization of communication corresponds to triggering of one or more electronic circuits and components responsible for enabling communication through the serializer / deserializer.

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